Agreement marks the initial phase of a 20-point plan aimed at achieving peace in Gaza.
In a recent summit held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, United States President Donald Trump, along with the leaders of Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye, signed a declaration to act as guarantors for peace in Gaza. This agreement comes shortly after Israel and Hamas executed a hostage and prisoner exchange as part of a ceasefire agreement’s initial phase. Trump remarked that the signed document would outline essential rules and regulations aimed at ensuring its effectiveness.
The first phase of Trump’s peace plan involved the release of all living Israeli hostages by Hamas, while Israel responded by freeing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Additionally, this phase calls for a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and arrangements for the exchange of hostages. Trump indicated that negotiations for a second phase of a more comprehensive peace agreement are already in progress.
This development follows the Israeli government’s approval of the ceasefire agreement, which was announced just days earlier. The Cabinet’s decision to endorse the ceasefire was a significant step toward halting hostilities in Gaza and facilitating the release of Israeli hostages. However, the discussions regarding the subsequent phases of Trump’s 20-point peace plan remain ongoing, particularly concerning disarmament and the governance of Gaza, including the future role of Hamas.
The military offensive launched by Israel in Gaza began in October 2023 in response to Hamas’s attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals in southern Israel. Following this, Israel initiated extensive air and ground assaults on Gaza, leading to a significant loss of life, with reports indicating over 67,000 fatalities. In August, the United Nations declared a famine in northern Gaza, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation. A subsequent UN commission of inquiry claimed that Israel had committed acts of genocide against Palestinians, a report that Israel dismissed as distorted and demanded to be rescinded.
Efforts for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have been ongoing since July, with previous attempts to restore a brief ceasefire from January faltering due to disagreements. Trump’s peace proposal, which was unveiled on September 29, outlines a process for the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, setting the stage for the release of hostages. According to the plan, Hamas members who agree to peaceful coexistence and renounce violence will be offered amnesty, while those wishing to leave Gaza will be granted safe passage to other countries.
The White House has stated that Israel will not annex Gaza and that there will be no forced relocations from the region. The proposal envisions the establishment of a “Board of Peace,” led by Trump, to oversee the governance of Gaza. This board will include international overseers, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, though his specific role remains unspecified. Governance in Gaza will be handled by a temporary, technocratic committee composed of Palestinians and global experts, with the board overseeing its operations. Importantly, the plan stipulates that Hamas will not hold any direct or indirect role in governing Gaza.
